GoodWorks Band to Perform at Stangl Stage to Benefit Baker’s Treat

GoodWorks Band to Perform at Stangl Stage to Benefit Baker’s Treat, Band Will Debut Music Video to Spotlight “Differently-Abled”

New Jersey rock and soul band GoodWorks will perform at Stangl Stage on December 19 at 7 p.m. at the Baker’s Treat Sweet Holiday Concert to benefit the Baker’s Treat Café. At the event, the band will debut a video of an original song it produced and recorded with employees of Baker’s Treat that raises awareness about the contributions of people with developmental disabilities, such as autism. Admission is $10 at the door, and includes free Baker’s Treat cookies and sweets.

Inspired by Jimmy Fallon’s remakes of hit songs with school musical instruments, Baker’s Treat employees ages 18-22 performed and videotaped the new song using kitchen utensils as percussion instruments and while working at their jobs. The video will be posted to YouTube simultaneous with the event.

“We believe that everyone is entitled to contribute to their community and Baker’s Treat gives the differently-abled a place where they can have a rewarding job and be appreciated for their contributions,” said Karen Monroy, Ph.D., CEO of Ability2Work. “Our slogan is, ‘Eat good, feel good, for good’ and GoodWorks is helping us deliver that message through song.’”

The award-winning Baker’s Treat is operated by Ability2Work, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that champions a supportive, inclusive employment environment for the “differently-abled.” According to the U.S. Department of Labor, less than 4 percent of developmentally disabled adults have jobs, and only 50 percent of those will have that same job a year later.

“GoodWorks believes in the good work that Baker’s Treat is doing with differently-abled teens and young adults,” said GoodWorks band founder Paul Lavenhar, who also wrote the original song for Baker’s Treat. “It’s important that the song lyrics convey that they are smart, social, fun people, more like us than different, who want to work and be treated with respect.”

Baker’s Treat partnered with Ability2Work in 2013 to train and employ the differently-abled, and assist them in equal access to jobs in their own communities. Baker’s Treat uses its resources to teach individual skills such as baking, cooking, customer service and individual life skills such as nutrition, communication, exercise, reading/writing, responsibility and self-awareness. The organization is self-funded and is staffed by a constant stream of volunteers that includes high school students, clubs, religious groups, parents, teachers and retirees. Ability2Work provides a supportive and inclusive job sampling, job training, and employment environment to the differently-abled. 100% of the proceeds support the differently-abled at Baker’s Treat. For more information, visit www.bakerstreat.com.

About GoodWorks

GoodWorks is the charitable arm of PL Communications, a New Jersey-based marketing communications firm. Founder Paul Lavenhar has worked with many nonprofit organizations and has also been involved in rock bands for the past 30 years. In 2013, Lavenhar founded the rock and soul band GoodWorks, which performs music from the Eagles to James Brown to Bruce Springsteen, to benefit good causes by raising awareness and funds. GoodWorks was inspired by the success of its “N.J. Diner Tour,” where band members raised $7,500 by playing in 21 diners in 48 hours to promote food banks across the state. GoodWorks has helped a school music program, healthcare foundation, special needs service organization, community arts program and a theater group, among others. For more information, visit www.goodworksband.com.